*4.3-ish*

let it be known that i will read literally everything rebecca stead publishes. EVERYTHING.

when i first found out that this book was in third person, i was sort of disappointed, because i thought stead's writing was at its best when it was in first person, but this book changed that! as always, every single character, from the parents to the siblings to the friends and acquaintances; they all felt very, very real. i can't describe it. everytime i read one of stead's books, i feel like i know the main characters personally. they're so fleshed-out, and done so in a very simple, beautiful way.

i loved our main character bridge (and her cat ears!) and i also loved tab and em! at first i was sort of annoyed with em, but i had to remind myself that she was in seventh grade, and a lot of girls in seventh grade don't act very nice. anyway, i adored sherm! his relationship with bridge sort of reminded me of sam and suzy's relationship in moonrise kingdom in that it was very sweet and genuine. also, i love how stead's books all have amazing families! absolutely loved jamie, bridge's older brother. i loved their banter and inside jokes, and i also loved bridge's mom and her quotes about music.

also, i loved our unnamed narrator during valentine's day. the fact that this person's chapters were written in second person made the story feel like it was on another level.

overall, this book was so great and touching, and the characters were to die for.